Friday morning rolled around, and I was thrilled to finally have some free time after classes this afternoon. I was pretty excited because Drake had mentioned that he didn’t have any plans for the weekend yet. I was hoping we’d get a chance to go on another date. I must have been louder than usual getting ready because I woke Aubrey up.

“Hey, where’s the fire?” she asked. “You’re running around like a chicken with its head chopped off.”

“No fire. Just ready for the weekend.” I smiled at her as I held up two shirts for her to pick from.

“The green,” she said as she pointed at the top in my left hand. “Your eyes really pop when you wear that one.”

“Thanks! What would I do without your fashion advice?”

“You didn’t really care what you wore until you met Drake. Glad all my knowledge is finally being put to good use for you. Big plans today?”

“Nope, just the usual. Are you going to be able to meet us for lunch today? I’ve barely seen you lately!”

“It’s been crazy. Besides, you’ve been walking around with your head in the clouds with a thinking-of-Drake look on your face all the time. I’m not sure you even realized who was around you.”

“Have I really been that bad?” I asked as I sat down on the bed. I never wanted Aubrey to think that she wasn’t important to me.

“Nah, it’s been good to see. I’m glad you’re getting back on the horse. Maybe we can double date sometime.”

“Drake, you, me, and what guy? Did I miss something important? New boyfriend? Spill, chica.”

Aubrey laughed at my attempt with the third degree. “Nobody in particular, but a double date would be fun. We haven’t been able to do one in forever. I’m sure I can rustle up a guy.”

“Yeah, like that would be a problem. Just be careful ‘cause you know how they fall in love with you at the slightest hint that you’re interested.”

Aubrey shoved me off her bed. “Like you’re one to talk. Drake certainly seems smitten. Isn’t he waiting downstairs for you two hours before his first class just so he can walk you across campus?”

I glanced at the clock and threw on the green shirt. “Crap! He’s probably already here. I better run. See you at lunch?”

“Sure. I’ll meet you at the café around noon. Now go! You don’t want to keep your hottie waiting too long. I’m sure the rest of the girls are drooling over him now that they’ve realized he comes to get you each morning.”

Aubrey was right. Word must have spread like wildfire in my dorm because a group of girls had been hanging out in the entertainment area on our floor that first Tuesday morning when I left my room. I hadn’t really gotten to know most of them yet, but they all said hello to me and knew who I was.

As I headed downstairs, I could hear giggles coming from outside. It looked like Drake’s fan club had become braver and weren’t waiting to follow me out anymore. A couple girls were standing next to him, trying to get his attention as he glanced at the door, looking for me. He looked relieved as I stepped out. He prowled towards me with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

“Morning, babe,” he said before pulling me towards him for a deep kiss. His arms wrapped around me, holding me tight as his mouth devoured mine. He bit lower lip and growled, “Open.”

My lips parted and his tongue took possession of my mouth. My body melted into his as he squeezed me tighter. He sucked on my tongue, and chills went up my spine. He gentled the kiss before pulling away and looking deep into my eyes.

“That’s a hell of a way to greet me in the morning. What did I do to deserve that?” I asked.

“You deserve that and more just by being you, but I figured I should make my intentions blatantly clear. I’m here each morning because you’re here. It’s time everyone realized it.”

I glanced over at the girls who had been trying to flirt with Drake. They both looked at me enviously before walking away. “I think that made it pretty obvious. Maybe they’ll tell all their friends and word will spread through your whole fan club.”

“And maybe I need to do that again when some of the guys who want you are around.”

“What guys?” I asked.

“Nope. Carry on being clueless to other men. You don’t need to worry about any guy except me.”

He walked me to my morning class like usual but stopped me outside the building instead of coming inside. Before I realized what he meant to do, he gave me another deep kiss. When he was done, he flashed me a smug grin. “See you at lunch.”